Photoelectric tape reader having plurality of interchangeable magazines each containing a tape of different lengh

ABSTRACT

A plurality of magazine units, each supporting an endless record carrier tape of different length, can be used with the same readout unit. Each endless record carrier tape is looped about selected guide rollers and passes between a pair of output rollers of each magazine to form a free readout loop. When a selected magazine unit is attached to the readout unit, sensing means of the readout unit sense the readout loop of the respective selected endless record carrier tape. The guide rollers and output rollers of each magazine are positioned so that differently looped endless record carrier of different lengths can be placed on the guide rollers and output rollers.

United States Patent Inventor Gernot Gottschall Boblingen, Germany Appl.No. 851,561 Filed Aug. 20, I969 Patented Feb. 23, 1971 Assignee FranzMorat GmbH Stuttgart-Vaihingen, Germany Priority Aug. 21, 1968 GermanyP. 17 97 14.9

PHOTO-ELECTRIC TAPE READER HAVING PLURALITY 0F INTERCHANGEABLE MAGAZINESEACH CONTAINING A TAPE OF DIFFERENT LENGTH 16 Claims, 11 Drawing Figs.

Primary Extzminer-Archie R. Borchelt Assistant ExaminerMartin AbramsonAttorney-Michael S. Striker ABSTRACT: A plurality of magazine units,each supporting an endless record carrier tape of different length, canbe used with the same readout unit. Each endless record carrier tape islooped about selected guide rollers and passes between a pair of outputrollers of each magazine to form a free readout loop.

11.8. CI 250/219, When a selected magazine unit is attached to thereadout unit, 179/ 100.2 sensing means of the readout unit sense thereadout loop of Int. Cl GOln 21/30 the respective selected endlessrecord carrier tape. The guide Field of Search 250/219; rollers andoutput rollers of each magazine are positioned so 179/ 100.2 (ZX);274/(lnquired); 242/(Inquired); that differently looped endless recordcarrier of different 226/(lnquired) lengths can be placed on the guiderollers and output rollers.

@ m a o 7 422 O m m o PATENTEUFEBNIBH 3566 138 sum 1 OF 6 lawn/r012.-

Genwr GYTTSMM'L FfiGTG-ELECTRIC TAPE READER HAVING PLURALIT YINTERCHANGEAELE MAGAZINES EACH CONTAINING A TAPE 0F DIRENT LENGTHBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION It is known to control machines,particularly the needles of a knitting machine, by electromagnetic meanscontrolled by impulses produced by the sensing of record carrier tapes.The record carrier tape may have light-permeable recordings arranged inlongitudinal tracks, and endless record carrier tapes of differentlengths are used for different knitted patterns and mounted in amagazine.

The [1.5. Pat. No. 3,317,735 discloses a sensing arrangement in which adriven transporting roller, constructed as a cylinder lens, moves thetape out of an exchangeable magazine in which the tape is laid inseveral loops on two freely rotatable rollers. This arrangement has thedisadvantage that, when the tape is removed from the magazine, or whenthe tape is transported by the cylinder lens,a frictional engagement andabrasion of the tape surface, and high pressure on the cylinder lenscannot be avoided so that the recording surface of the tape is scratchedby unavoidably deposited dust, and the scratches may cause wrong commandsignals.

It is one object of the invention to overcome this disadvantage of theprior art, and to provide a sensing arrangement for record carrier tapesin which the support roller on which the tape is located while beingsensed, is subjected to little pressure.

Another object of the invention is to support the tape in the region ofthe sensing means by a support roller which has two freely rotatable endportions engaging the marginal portions of the tape, while the recordcarrying central portion of the tape is not in contact with the supportroller.

Another object of the invention is to provide stationary op tical meanson the shaft on which the two end portions of the support roller aremounted.

An important object of the invention is to provide a plurality ofexchangeable magazine units for a single readout unit so thatdifferently looped endless tapes of different magazines can be used withthe same readout unit.

Another object of the invention is to provide a magazine with apredetermined number of guide rollers so that endless record carriertapes of different lengths can be differently looped about the guiderollers, while a loop of constant length is formed between two outputrollers, and can be read out by the same sensing means.

Another object of the invention is to drive transporting rollers leadingand trailing the support roller of the sensed portion of the tape sothat the support roller is rotated by the moving tape.

Another object of the invention is to resiliently bias the trailingtransporting roller.

With these objects in view, the present invention provides a sensingarrangement for endless record carrier tapes of dif ferent lengths. Oneembodiment of the invention comprises a plurality of magazine units,each of which can be selectively attached to the same readout unit.

Each magazine unit includes a first support, two output rollers, apredetermined number of guide rollers, and an endless record carriertape looped about selected guide rollers and passing between said pairof output rollers to form a free readout loop. The readout loops of allmagazine units have the same length, the output rollers have the sameposition.

The readout unit includes a second support to which the first support ofa selected magazine unit is detachably attached, transporting rollersengaging the readout loop of the selected magazine unit for transportingthe same and thereby the respective endless record carrier tape, andsensing means for reading out recordings on successive transportedportions of the readout loop and generating corresponding impulses.

Each endless record carrier tape is associated with different machineoperations, for example with different numbers of revolutions of acircular knitting machine so that the tracks of the recordings are ofdifferent lengths, and require endless tapes of different lengths.

The guide rollers and output rollers of the magazine are 5 disposed forsupporting differently positioned magazine loops of any selected endlessrecord carrier tape, and the readout loop of the selected endless recordcarrier tape projects between the output rollers in a position adaptedto be read out, so that the same magazine can be used for any one of aplurality of endless record carrier tapes of different length havinginformation of different length recorded thereon.

The novel features which are considered as characteristic for theinvention are set forth in particular in the appended claims. Theinvention itself, however, both as to its construction and its method ofoperation, together with additional objects and advantages thereof, willbe best understood from the following description of specificembodiments when read in connection with the accompanying drawing.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING FIG. 1 is a schematic plan viewillustrating an embodiment of the invention provided with an endlessrecord carrier tape of short length;

FIG. 2 is an elevation, partly in section along the line A-B- C-D inFIG. 3, and illustrating the drive connection between the transportingrollers of the readout unit and the output rollers of the magazine unitof the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic plan view of the parts of the apparatus shown inFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is an elevation, partly in sections, combined with a circuitdiagram and illustrating the tape support roller, and the sensing meansand illuminating means of the embodiment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a fragmentary plan view of the parts shown in FIG. 4; and

FIGS. 6 to 11 are schematic plan views corresponding to FIG. 1, butillustrating magazines provided with endless record carrier tapes ofdifferent length for controlling between two and more than 10 needlecylinder revolutions.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT As schematically indicated inFIGS. 1 and 6 to 11, the apparatus includes a readout unit whichcomprises transporting means 1, illuminating means 2, and sensing means3. A magazine unit 4 is detachably attached to the readout unit I, 2, 3.Several magazine units 4, mounting endless record carrier tapes F ofdifferent lengths and differently looped, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 toII, can be used with the same readout unit.

The stationary readout unit 1, 2, 3 includes a support plate 123 onwhich driven transporting rollers 101 and 102 are mounted for rotation,together with a support roller 125. The sensing means 3 are mounted on aslide 307 for movement toward and away from the support roller 125. Theilluminating means 2 are also mounted on support plate 123.

Each of the magazine units 4 shown in FIGS. 1 and 6 to II includes asupport plate 401, and a number of guide rollers 415 to 425 mounted forfree rotation on support plate 401. When endless record carrier tapes Fof different length are used, as shown in FIGS. 1, and 6 to 11, they arelaid in different loops about the guide rollers 415 to 425, but theoutput rollers 402 and 403 form a readout loop of constant length in anyendless tape, passing from the confronting face portions of outputrollers 402, 403 over transporting rollers 101 and 102, and freelyrotatable support roller 125.

Consequently, although each of the magazine units 4 shown in FIGS. 1 and6 to 11 have endless record carrier tapes of different length, anymagazine unit can be selectively used with the readout unit 1.

Each magazine unit 4 is also constructed so that the same arrangement ofguide rollers 415 to 425, together with output rollers 402, 403, can beused for exchangeable endless record carrier tapes of difierent length,since the different tapes can be looped differently about selected guiderollers 415 to s25. However, the length of the free readout loopprojecting between output rollers Q02, and 103, must be the same,irrespective of the length of the endless record carriers which areplaced on the magazine.

Any one of the magazine unit 4, and more particularly the support platedill thereof, can be detachably secured to the support plate 123, or toa common base for support plates 123 and dill, so that the readout unit1, 2, 3 is surrounded by guide rollers 415 to 25, and output rollers102, 403, permitting the different tape positions shown in F168. 1 and 6to 11, without interference of the tape with the readout unit 1, 2, 5.The relative position of the readout loop formed by output rollers 402,3413, transporting rollers 101 and 102, and support roller 125 remainsthe same irrespective of which magazine unit d is attached to thereadout unit ll, 2, 3.

All rollers used in the apparatus are constructed so that they engagethe tape only in the marginal portions thereof where perforations areprovided cooperating with sprocket means of the rollers. Between theengaging end portions of the rollers, central roller portions of smallerdiameter are provided which are spaced from the central portion of thetransported tape, so that the same cannot be scratched in the centralregion where the recordings are provided. Pressure rollers 112 and 113,see FM]. 3, cooperate with transporting rollers 101 and 102, and haveend portions formed with circular grooves into which the sprocket teethof the transporting rollers 101 and 102 project so that the perforatedmarginal portions of the tape are reliably held. All rollers are mountedin the respective support plates so that they cannot be displaced inaxial direction.

Referring now mainly to F163. 2 and 3, transporting rollers 101 and 102include sprocket and end portions 101a and 1020 which engageperforations in the longitudinal marginal portions Ea of tape F.

Transporting roller 101 is mounted on a shaft 103 which is supported ina bearing 10% on support plate 123. The lower portion of shaft 103 isdriven from the knitting machine so that tape F is moved at the rhythmof the machine operations. When the impulses produced by the readoutunit are used for controlling the needles of a circular knitting machineby electromagnetic means, the tape must move at the same speed as theperiphery of the needle cylinder.

A gear 105 is fixed to shaft 103 directly under support plate 123, andmeshes with an intermediate gear 107 mounted in a bearing 106 undersupport plate 123. intermediate gear 107 is so positioned that it alsomeshes with a gear 108 which is fixed to a shaft 109 which carriestransporting roller 102, and more particularly the inner central portion1112b of the same on which two sprocket end portions 1020 are rotatablymounted. As schematically indicated in FIG. 3, the sprocket end portions1020 are connected by a spring 111 with the inner por tion 102!) whichis driven from drive shaft 103 through the gears 105, 107, 103.

The driven transporting roller 102 transmits a tensioning force to theendless tape F and pulls the same in the direction of the arrow P sothat spring 111 is tensioned whereby the transported portion of the tapepassing over the freely rotatable support roller 125 is tensioned to apredetermined degree so that no readout errors are made when a recordingpasses the readout head 3.

1f the tension of the tape becomes too great so that the tape breaks,the sprocket end portions 102a are turned by spring 111 opposite to thetransporting direction, whereby a small spring-biased slide in shaft 109is released for shifting a bar magnet about 10 millimeters whereby acontact secured to support plate 123 is opened, and the drive motor ofthe machine is stopped not illustrated.

Pressure rollers 112 and 113 lead and trail, respectively, the leadingand trailing transporting rollers 101 and 102, and are mounted on leverarms 1% and 115, respectively, whose pivots 116 and 117, respectively,are mounted on support plate 123. A coil spring 113 and 119,respectively, holds the pressure rollers 112, 113 in operativepositions. However,

pressure rollers 112, 113 can be turned to inoperative positions and121, as schematically indicated in H0. 3, when the magazine unit a isexchanged, and the readout loop F which begins in the region 122 andends in the region 124, has to be detached from the sprocket oftransporting rollers 101 and 102, and removed from the support roller125. After the readout loop F of the magazine unit 1 has been removed,another magazine unit 4 is attached to the support plate 123, and thereadout loop F of the new magazine unit is laid about the transportingrollers while the pressure rollers 112 and 113 are still inoperative.

Since the output rollers 402 and ms of all magazine units are in thesame position, and since all readout loops lF have the same length,magazines having endless tapes of different length can be exchanged foreach other for cooperation with the same readout unit 1, 2, 3.

As noted above, support roller 125 is rotated by tape F, when the sameis transported by transporting rollers 101 and 102. Support roller 125is positioned so that the surface of tape F is spaced a distance ofsubstantially 0.5 mm. from the confronting face of the readout head, asbest seen in P10. 5. Support roller 125 is composed 'of an upper roll126 and a lower roll 127, as best seen in FIG. 4. Rolls 126 and 127 aremounted on a common shaft means 128 for free rotation. A journal portion129 supports a bearing for roll 127, and a journal portion 1311 supportsa bearing for roll 126. The journal portions 129 and 130 carry discs 131and 132, respectively, between which transparent optical means includinga filter 203 for heat radiation, and a planar-convex cylinder lens 204are fixedly secured.

Each roll 126 and 127 has a cylindrical portion 126a, 1270,respectively, bounded by outer shoulders 1261), 127b, respectively, onwhich a portion of tape F abuts so that the tape is confined byshoulders 126b and 127b, and cannot be displaced in axial direction.

Illuminating means for the tape are provided including a amp 201, and aspherical condenser lens 202, both mounted on support plate 123 bymeans, which are not illustrated. The rays from lamp 201 follow thepaths 205, 20s, and 207, are made parallel by condenser lens 202, andthen pass through heat filter 203 and spherical lens 204 so as to ailluminate a narrow strip-shaped portion of the record carrier tape F,whose recordings are light-permeable dots arranged in parallel tracks.in position of F 16$. 4 and 5, in which the tape is transported in ahorizontal plane, the tracks are also horizontal and vertically spacedfrom each other.

in the magnetic readout head 3, 4O light-guiding rods 301 are provided,only three being shown in H0. l, and four being shown in FIG. 5 for thesake of simplicity. Depending on the distribution of the light-permeablerecordings in the 40 tracks of tape F, light pulses pass throughdifferent light-guiding rods 301, and enter phototransistors 302, ofwhich also 40 are provided. However, since the tracks of the recordcarrier F are spaced very small distances from each other, thelight-guiding rods 301 are bent in two planes so that these 40phototransistors 202 can be arranged in four rows of l0phototransistors, instead of in a single row.

All phototransistors 302 are connected with a voltage source 303 whosenegative terminal is connected with each phototransistor 302 by alimiting resistor 304 and an adjustable resistor 305. The outputterminals 306 of phototransistors 302 are connected through amplifiers,not shown, with electromagnetic and mechanical means by which the needleselection of the knitting machine is controlled.

A circular knitting machine whose knitted pattern is controlled by theimpulses produced by the 40 photo transistors 302, has, for example, 36knitting stations controlled by 36 tracks on tape F. The impulsesproduced in the phototransistors in accordance with the recordings inthe respective tracks are amplified, and control electromagnetic meansby which needle-controlling elements are shifted for guiding the needleseither to a knit position; or to an inoperative position. The remainingfour tracks of the record carrier tape, and the remaining fourphototransistors are used for controlling auxiliary operations.

The magnetic readout head 3, the phototransistors 302, and the resistors304 and 305 are all mounted on a slide 307 which is movable on thesupport plate 123 toward and away from support roller 125. When themagazine unit 4 is to be removed and exchanged for another magazineunit,the readout means 3 are moved away from the readout loop F and supportroller 125, so that the readout loop F can be easily removed from thesupport roller 125 and transporting rollers 101 and 102 without thepossibility of scratching the surface of the tape on the confrontingsurface of the readout head.

As shown in FIG. 1, support plate 401 is substantially rectangular andhas a peripheral cutout 405 and a central cutout 406 of trapezoidalshape. The edges of cutout 406 are spaced from the support plate 123, sothat the magazine unit 4 can be exchanged without touching any part ofthe readout unit 1,2,3.

The support plate 101 of the magazine unit 4 is located slightly abovethe top surface of the stationary support plate 123, and is attached byscrews, or to other conventional detachable fastening means to supportplate 107.

Output rollers 402 and 403, and transporting rollers 101 and 102 arearranged symmetrically to a plane of symmetry C,D which passes throughthe axis of support roller 125. The construction of output roller 110 isthe same as the construction of guide roller 105, and the constructionof output roller 403 corresponds to the construction of transportingroller 102. A common pressure roller 404 is provided with circulargrooves in its end portions receiving the sprocket teeth of outputrollers 402 and 403. Pressure roller 404 holds the record carrier tape Fon the sprockets of output roller 402, and on the sprocket rings 403a ofoutput roller 403. Since pressure roller 404 together with outputrollers 402 and 403 holds the readout loop F the magazine unit 4 can beremoved from the readout unit 1,2,3 without disturbing the readout loopF and the looped endless tape on the respective magazine unit 4. Whenthe endless tape F on the guide rollers 415 to 425, and output rollers402, 403 is to be exchanged for another differently looped endless tapeof different length, see FIGS. 6 to 11, pressure roller 404 is retractedto the left to an inoperative position permitting removal of theperforated tape from the sprockets of output rollers 402 and 403.

The sprocket end portions 403a of output roller 403 are connected by aspring 408 with the central portion 403]: which is secured to shaft 407carrying a fixed gear 411. A gear 410 is fixed to output roller 402, andgears 410 and 411 mesh with a coupling gear 412 which meshes with theintermediate gear 407 which is connected by gears 405 and 408 with thetransporting rollers 101 and 102. Consequently, output rollers 402 and403 are driven at the same speed as transporting rollers 101 and 102,all gears being driven from drive shaft 103.

Coupling gear 412 is mounted on a shaft 413 secured to the underside ofthe support plate on each magazine unit 4. A spring 414 urges couplinggear 412 to the position illustrated in H6. 2 so that the gears 410 and411 of output rollers 402 and 403 are driven from intermediate gear 107when a magazine unit is attached to the readout unit.

When coupling gear 412 is pushed to a higher position, it remains inmeshing engagement with gears 410 and 411, but separates fromintermediate gear 107, as required during exchange of a magazine unit.Since gear 412 continues to mesh with gear 410 and 411, output rollers402 and 403 do not turn, and the constant length of the loop F is notdisturbed while the magazine unit is removed, and another magazine unitsubstituted. When a selected magazine unit has been attached to thereadout unit, coupling gear 412 is released by the operator, and assumesa position coupling intermediate gear 407 with gear 410, 411, as bestseen in FIG. 2.

The support plate 401 of the magazine unit 4 carries, in addition to theoutput rollers 402, 403, guide rollers 415 to 425, of which guiderollers 418, 421 and 423 have axes slanted to the surface of the supportplate 401.

Different guide rollers are used for the magazine loops of endless tapesF of different lengths, as shown in FIG. 1, and FIGS. 6 to 11. FIG. 1shows an endless record carrier tape which has recordings forcontrolling the needles of a knitting machine during 1 revolution. Thelengths of the endless record carrier tapes shown in FIG. 6, 7, and 8correspond to 2, 3, and 4 revolutions of the needle cylinder,respectively; the length'of the endless tape shown in FIG. 9 correspondsto 5, 7 and 8 revolutions; the lengths of the endless tapes shown inFIG. 10 corresponds to 6 and 9 revolutions; and the length of theendless tape shown in FIG. 11 correspond to 10 or more revolutions ofthe needle cylinders. Guide rollers 415 to 425 also have end portionsengaging the tape only in the region of perforated marginal edgeportions, similar to the construction shown for the supporting roller125. Some of the guide rollers, for example guide rollers 418, 419, 421,424, and 425, are constructed with flanges and shoulders preventingaxial displacement of the tape. Consequently, the endless tape can berepeatedly transported and read out without any sliding engagement andfriction between the rollers and the central portion of the tape wherethe recordings are provided.

It will be understood that each of the elements described above or twoor more together, may also find a useful application in other types ofsensing arrangements for record carrier tapes differing from the typesdescribed above.

While the invention has been illustrated and described as embodied in areadout unit selectively combined with different magazine unitssupporting endless record carrier tapes of different lengths, it is notintended to be limited to the details shown, since various modificationsand structural changes may be made without departing in any way from thespirit of the present invention.

What is claimed as new and desired to be protected by Letters Patent isset forth in the appended claims.

Iclaim:

l. Sensing arrangement for record carrier tapes, comprising, incombination, a plurality of magazine units, each including a firstsupport, two output rollers, a predetermined number of guide rollers,and an endless record carrier tape looped about selected guide rollersand passing between said pair of output rollers to form a free readoutloop, said endless record carrier tapes having different lengths andbeing associated with different operations of a machine, said readoutloops of all said magazine units having the same length between saidoutput rollers, said output rollers having the same positions on allfirst supports; and a readout unit including a second support to whichsaid first support of a selected magazine unit is detachably attached,transporting rollers mounted on said second support and engaging saidreadout loop of said selected magazine unit for transporting the sameand thereby the respective endless record carrier tape, and sensingmeans for reading out recordings on successive transported portions ofsaid readout loop and generating corresponding impulses for controllingthe machine.

2. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said machine is acircular knitting machine having needles controlled by said impulses;and wherein each of said endless tapes is associated with a differentnumber of revolutions of said knitting machine.

3. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said firstsupports has a central cutout; and wherein said readout unit is locatedin said cutout of said first support of said selected magazine unit.

4. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said readout unitincludes means for illuminating said transported and readout portion ofsaid readout loop; wherein said sensing means include a plurality ofphototransistors; and wherein each of said endless record carrier tapeshas a plurality of tracks respectively read out by saidphototransistors, and having light-permeable recordings.

5. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said readout unitincludes a support roller for supporting said successive transportedportions of said readout loop, and being mounted on said second supportfor free rotation, and opposite said sensing means; and wherein saidtransporting rollers include two driven transporting rollersrespectively leading and trailing said support roller so that the sameis rotated by the transported readout loop.

6. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim wherein said readout unitincludes a shaft means fixedly secured to said second support; whereinsaid support roller includes two roller portions mounted for freerotation spaced from each other on two spaced journal portions of saidshaft means for supporting the longitudinal marginal portions of saidreadout loop; wherein the portion of said shaft means between saidjournal portions includes transparent optical means; wherein saidsensing means is located in front of said support roller and of thetransported portion of said readout loop thereon; wherein said readoutunit includes illuminating means mounted on said second support in therear of said support roller so that said transported portion isilluminated through said transparent optical means.

7. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 6 wherein said transparentoptical means include a filter for heat radiation and a planar-convexcylindrical lens; and wherein said illuminating means include a lamp nda condenser.

8. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 5 wherein each of saidmagazine units includes means for driving said pair of output rollersfor transporting said endless tape at the speed at which said readoutloop is transported by said driven transporting rollers of said readoutunit.

9. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein said means fordriving includes two output gears respectively secured to said outputrollers, and coupling gear means mounted on said first support formovement between an inoperative position and a drive position; andwherein said readout unit includes two drive gears secured to saidtransporting rollers and an intermediate gear meshing with said twodrive gears and with said gear means in said drive position.

it). Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 9 wherein said firstsupport is a first support plate, and said second support is a secondsupport plate lower than said first support plate of said selectedmagazine unit; and wherein said coupling gear means includes a journalsecured to said first support plate, a coupling gear mounted on saidjournal for axial movement between said inoperative and drive positions,and a spring biassing said coupling gear into said drive positionmeshing with said intermediate gear and said output gears, said couplinggear in said inoperative position meshing only with said two outputgears.

it. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein each endlesssecond carrier tape has marginal transporting portions and a centralrecording portion for recordings; and wherein said guide rollers, outputrollers, and transporting rollers have transporting end portionscooperating with said marginal transporting portions, and centralsmaller portion spaced from said central recording portion.

l2. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 11 wherein said readout unitincludes a support roller freely rotatably mounted on said secondsupport opposite said sensing means and being rotated by said readoutloop; wherein said transporting rollers include a pair of transportingrollers leading and trailing said support roller, respectively, in thedirection of movement of said endless tape; wherein said trailingtransporting roller and the trailing output roller have driven centralportions, and marginal transporting portions rotatable on said drivencentral portions, and include spring means connecting said drivencentral portions with said marginal transporting portions, respectively.

13. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said firstsupports has a central cutout; wherein said second support is located inthe cutout of said first support of the selected magazine unit; andwherein said readout unit includes a slide supporting said sensing meansand being mounted on said second support for movement toward and awayfrom said transporting rollers.

l4. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim I wherein said readout unitincludes a support roller for supporting said successive transportedportions of said readout loop, and being mounted on said secondsupportfor free rotatiomand opposite said sensing means; wherein saidtransporting rollers include two driven transporting rollersrespectively leading and trailing said support roller so that the sameis rotated by the transported readout loop; wherein each of said firstsupports has a central cutout; wherein said second support is located inthe cutout of said first support of the selected magazine unit; whereinsaid readout unit includes a slide supporting said sensing means andbeing mounted on said second support for movement toward and away fromsaid support roller; wherein said support roller, said two drive rollersand two output rollers are disposed symmetrically to a plane; andwherein said slide moves in said plane.

15. Sensing arrangement as claimed inclaim 1 wherein each magazine unitincludes a pressure roller mounted on said first support for movementbetween an operative position abutting said two output rollers forholding said endless tape on the same, and a retracted inoperativeposition.

16. Record carrier tape magazine arrangement, comprising, incombination, a plurality of endless record carrier tapes havingdifferent lengths, each endless tape being formed into dif ferentlyshaped and positioned magazine loops and into a readout loop having thesame length in all said endless tapes; and a magazine including asupport, and a plurality of guide rollers and two output rollers mountedon said support for rotation, said guide rollers being disposed forsupporting said differently positioned magazine loops of any selectedone of said endless record carrier tapes, and said readout loop of saidselected endless record carrier tape projecting between said outputrollers in a position adapted to be read out whereby the same magazinecan be used for a plurality of endless record carrier tapes of differentlengths having information of different length recorded thereon.

UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE CERTIFICATE OF CORRECTION Patent NO.3,566,138 D t d February Inventor(s) GGTIIOt GOttSChQll It is certifiedthat error appears in the above-identified patent and that said LettersPatent are hereby corrected as shown below:

On the cover sheet [31] "P.17.97 14.9" should read P 17 97 146 .9

Signed and sealed this 30th day of November 1971.

(SEAL) Attest:

EDWARD M.FLETCHER,JR. ROBERT GOTTSCHALK Attesting Officer ActingCommissioner of Pate

1. Sensing arrangement for record carrier tapes, comprising, incombination, a plurality of magazine units, each including a firstsupport, two output rollers, a predetermined number of guide rollers,and an endless record carrier tape looped about selected guide rollersand passing between said pair of output rollers to form a free readoutloop, said endless record carrier tapes having different lengths andbeing associated with different operations of a machine, said readoutloops of all said magazine units having the same length between saidoutput rollers, said output rollers having the same positions on allfirst supports; and a readout unit including a second support to whichsaid first support of a selected magazine unit is detachably attached,transporting rollers mounted on said second support and engaging saidreadout loop of said selected magazine unit for transporting the sameand thereby the respective endless record carrier tape, and sensingmeans for reading out recordings on successive transported portions ofsaid readout loop and generating corresponding impulses for controllingthe machine.
 2. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein saidmachine is a circular knitting machine having needles controlled by saidimpulses; and wherein each of said endless tapes is associated with adifferent number of revolutions of said knitting machine.
 3. Sensingarrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein each of said first supportshas a central cutout; and wherein said readout unit is located in saidcutout of said first support of said selected magazine unit.
 4. Sensingarrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said readout unit includesmeans for illuminating said transported and readout portion of saidreadout loop; wherein said sensing means include a plurality ofphototransistors; and wherein each of said endless record carrier tapeshas a plurality of tracks respectively read out by saidphototransistors, and having light-permeable recordings.
 5. Sensingarrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said readout unit includes asupport roller for supporting said successive transported portions ofsaid readout loop, and being mounted on said second support for freerotation, and opposite said sensing means; and wherein said transportingrollers include two driven transporting rollers respectively leading andtrailing said support roller so that the same is rotated by thetransported readout loop.
 6. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 5wherein said readout unit includes a shaft means fixedly secured to saidsecond support; wherein said support roller includes two roller portionsmounted for free rotation spaced from each other on two spaced journalportions of said shaft means for supporting the longitudinal marginalportions of said readout loop; wherein the portion of said shaft meansbetween said journal portions includes transparent optical means;wherein said sensing means is located in front of said support rollerand of the transported portion of said readout loop thereon; whereinsaid readout unit includes illuminating means mounted on said secondsupport in the rear of said support roller so that said transportedportion is illuminated through said transparent optical means. 7.Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 6 wherein said transparentoptical means include a filter for heat radiation and a planar-convexcylindrical lens; and wherein said illuminating means include a lamp nda condenser.
 8. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 5 wherein eachof said magazine units includes means for driving said pair of outputrollers for transporting said endless tape at the speed at which saidreadout loop is transported by said driven transporting rollers of saidreadout unit.
 9. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 8 wherein saidmeans for driving includes two output gears respectively secured to saidoutput roLlers, and coupling gear means mounted on said first supportfor movement between an inoperative position and a drive position; andwherein said readout unit includes two drive gears secured to saidtransporting rollers and an intermediate gear meshing with said twodrive gears and with said gear means in said drive position.
 10. Sensingarrangement as claimed in claim 9 wherein said first support is a firstsupport plate, and said second support is a second support plate lowerthan said first support plate of said selected magazine unit; andwherein said coupling gear means includes a journal secured to saidfirst support plate, a coupling gear mounted on said journal for axialmovement between said inoperative and drive positions, and a springbiassing said coupling gear into said drive position meshing with saidintermediate gear and said output gears, said coupling gear in saidinoperative position meshing only with said two output gears. 11.Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein each endless secondcarrier tape has marginal transporting portions and a central recordingportion for recordings; and wherein said guide rollers, output rollers,and transporting rollers have transporting end portions cooperating withsaid marginal transporting portions, and central smaller portion spacedfrom said central recording portion.
 12. Sensing arrangement as claimedin claim 11 wherein said readout unit includes a support roller freelyrotatably mounted on said second support opposite said sensing means andbeing rotated by said readout loop; wherein said transporting rollersinclude a pair of transporting rollers leading and trailing said supportroller, respectively, in the direction of movement of said endless tape;wherein said trailing transporting roller and the trailing output rollerhave driven central portions, and marginal transporting portionsrotatable on said driven central portions, and include spring meansconnecting said driven central portions with said marginal transportingportions, respectively.
 13. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 1wherein each of said first supports has a central cutout; wherein saidsecond support is located in the cutout of said first support of theselected magazine unit; and wherein said readout unit includes a slidesupporting said sensing means and being mounted on said second supportfor movement toward and away from said transporting rollers.
 14. Sensingarrangement as claimed in claim 1 wherein said readout unit includes asupport roller for supporting said successive transported portions ofsaid readout loop, and being mounted on said second support for freerotation, and opposite said sensing means; wherein said transportingrollers include two driven transporting rollers respectively leading andtrailing said support roller so that the same is rotated by thetransported readout loop; wherein each of said first supports has acentral cutout; wherein said second support is located in the cutout ofsaid first support of the selected magazine unit; wherein said readoutunit includes a slide supporting said sensing means and being mounted onsaid second support for movement toward and away from said supportroller; wherein said support roller, said two drive rollers and twooutput rollers are disposed symmetrically to a plane; and wherein saidslide moves in said plane.
 15. Sensing arrangement as claimed in claim 1wherein each magazine unit includes a pressure roller mounted on saidfirst support for movement between an operative position abutting saidtwo output rollers for holding said endless tape on the same, and aretracted inoperative position.
 16. Record carrier tape magazinearrangement, comprising, in combination, a plurality of endless recordcarrier tapes having different lengths, each endless tape being formedinto differently shaped and positioned magazine loops and into a readoutloop having the same length in all said endless tapes; and a magazineincluding a support, and a Plurality of guide rollers and two outputrollers mounted on said support for rotation, said guide rollers beingdisposed for supporting said differently positioned magazine loops ofany selected one of said endless record carrier tapes, and said readoutloop of said selected endless record carrier tape projecting betweensaid output rollers in a position adapted to be read out whereby thesame magazine can be used for a plurality of endless record carriertapes of different lengths having information of different lengthrecorded thereon.